Molecular Virology Technician
Ft Detrick, MDFull-time$70k–$80kPosted Jul 24, 2024
Overview
Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance! Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for a Molecular Virology Technician to provide laboratory and technical support for the Molecular Virology Branch. The position independently coordinates and executes scientific studies involving animal procedures, biological sample collection and processing, data collection and analysis, laboratory operations, inventory management, and laboratory equipment support. The incumbent performs virology laboratory techniques including basic cell culture, plaque assays, and plaque reduction neutralization testing while supporting animal studies conducted in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments. The position also supports laboratory maintenance, inventory control, regulatory compliance, mentorship activities, and scientific reporting requirements while maintaining required BPRP, CS-PRP, and GLP qualifications.
Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients.
Responsibilities
- Support, coordinate, and execute Non-Human Primate, ferret, swine, and rodent research studies conducted in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
- Perform animal inoculations with viruses, vaccines, and testing materials through multiple administration routes including intramuscular, intratracheal, intranasal, oral gavage, subcutaneous, intracranial, and intravenous methods.
- Conduct animal observations, physical examinations, and humane euthanasia activities in support of approved animal protocols.
- Collect tissues and perform sample processing procedures including homogenization, clarification, and viral inactivation.
- Conduct blood collection, sample processing, aliquot preparation, and viral inactivation procedures.
- Perform specimen collections including nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal swabs, rectal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage samples, cerebrospinal fluid samples, and related biological specimens.
- Prepare study materials required for assigned experiments, including cell culture media preparation, tube labeling, and study documentation.
- Perform basic cell culture procedures, plaque assays (PA), plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT), and related virology assays.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and support laboratory operational readiness.
- Perform laboratory maintenance activities including cleaning, inspection preparation, and containment area duties.
- Support administrative activities associated with animal studies, including raw data quality control review, data entry, binder compilation, and records management.
- Maintain inventories of in vivo and in vitro study materials, samples, reagents, and laboratory supplies.
- Serve as a mentor for BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory personnel.
- Prepare and submit recurring Contractor Research Technical Reports to the TPOC.
- Assess, order, inventory, and maintain supplies supporting in vivo and in vitro research activities.
- Utilize government-provided ordering systems to support laboratory procurement and supply management.
- Maintain Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) program compliance.
- Maintain CS-PRP and BPRP enrollment and associated requirements.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Science, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
- Typically requires five (5) to seven (7) years of related laboratory experience consistent with a Laboratory Technician 4 labor category.
- Experience performing laboratory procedures, scientific testing, research activities, and technical support functions in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, laboratory animal science, or related scientific disciplines.
- Experience supporting animal studies, biological sample processing, and laboratory research protocols.
- Experience independently executing laboratory procedures and scientific protocols with limited supervision.
- Experience collecting, documenting, analyzing, and reporting laboratory and research data.
- Experience supporting laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, inventory management, and laboratory compliance activities.
- Experience supporting laboratory work in biocontainment environments.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) program participation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain CS-PRP enrollment.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting molecular virology, infectious disease, vaccine, or biodefense research programs.
- Experience supporting Non-Human Primate, ferret, swine, and rodent research studies.
- Experience performing cell culture, plaque assays, plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT), and related virology techniques.
- Experience performing biological sample collection and viral inactivation procedures.
- Experience working within BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratory environments.
- Experience supporting laboratory inventory management and procurement activities.
- Experience supporting GLP-compliant laboratory environments.
- Experience mentoring laboratory personnel and supporting laboratory training programs.
- Experience supporting animal protocol administration and laboratory quality activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of virology, microbiology, molecular biology, laboratory animal science, and biomedical research methodologies.
- Knowledge of cell culture techniques, plaque assays, plaque reduction neutralization testing, and viral sample processing procedures.
- Knowledge of laboratory animal handling, inoculation procedures, specimen collection, animal observations, and humane euthanasia practices.
- Knowledge of BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory operations, biosafety requirements, and biocontainment procedures.
- Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements and laboratory quality standards.
- Knowledge of laboratory inventory management, procurement activities, and laboratory operational support functions.
- Knowledge of laboratory data management, technical reporting, scientific documentation, and records management requirements.
- Ability to independently execute laboratory procedures and scientific protocols.
- Ability to collect, process, document, and manage biological samples and research data.
- Ability to maintain laboratory readiness, equipment, supplies, and compliance requirements.
- Ability to mentor laboratory personnel and support technical training activities.
- Ability to communicate scientific and technical information effectively through written reports and verbal presentations.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific teams.